NOT GUILTY: DUI After a Three-Year Fight
DUI + breath-test refusal. Won a motion to suppress an illegal search, then NOT GUILTY at the jury trial.
Fort Lauderdale DUI Defense
A former DUI investigator is now in your corner.
If you were arrested for DUI in Broward County, the clock is already running. You have 10 days to protect your license — and one chance to build a real defense before the State locks in their version of events.
10-Day Deadline
Miss it and you lose your license by default.
Former DUI Investigator
Eric ran the same playbook now used against you.
Prosecutor's Office Trained
He knows how the State decides what to charge.
Hardship License Help
Get back on the road when you qualify.
Florida DUI penalties at a glance
Florida DUI law is statute-driven and unforgiving. The penalties below assume conviction — they are not what you will face if the case is reduced or dismissed.
| Offense | Jail | Fine | License |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st DUI | Up to 6 months | $500–$1,000 | 180 days – 1 yr |
| 1st w/ BAC ≥ 0.15 | Up to 9 months | $1,000–$2,000 | + Ignition interlock |
| 2nd DUI (w/in 5 yr) | 10 days mandatory | $1,000–$2,000 | 5-year revocation |
| 3rd DUI (w/in 10 yr) | 30 days mandatory | $2,000–$5,000 | 10-year revocation |
| DUI w/ Serious Injury | Up to 5 years (3rd-deg felony) | Up to $5,000 | 3-year revocation |
| DUI Manslaughter | 4-year mandatory min, up to 15 yrs | Up to $10,000 | Permanent revocation |
Sources: Fla. Stat. §§ 316.193, 322.2615. Penalties summarized for general guidance — your case may carry additional consequences.
The 10-day rule — your license is already on the line
The moment you were arrested for DUI in Florida, two cases started: the criminal case in court and the administrative case at the Florida DHSMV. The administrative case moves first, and it moves fast. You have 10 days from the date of arrest to request a formal review hearing. Miss it and your license is suspended by default — no judge, no jury, no second chance.
Eric handles the DMV hearing while building the criminal defense at the same time. Where the facts support it, the formal review can knock out the suspension entirely or open a path to a hardship license so you can keep driving to work.
How Eric defends a Fort Lauderdale DUI
- 01Attack the stop. Every DUI starts with a traffic stop. If the officer didn't have reasonable suspicion, everything that follows is on the table for suppression.
- 02Pick apart the field sobriety exercises. As a DUI investigator, Eric was trained on the exact NHTSA standards officers are supposed to follow. Most don't follow them exactly — and that's where reasonable doubt lives.
- 03Challenge the breath result. The Intoxilyzer 8000 has documented calibration, maintenance, and observation-period issues. The reading is not the truth — it's evidence to be tested.
- 04Push the State on the video. Body cam and dash cam often tell a different story than the report. We pull every angle.
- 05Fight the administrative case in parallel. The 10-day DMV hearing is its own battle. Winning it can save your license even if the criminal case is still active.
- 06Negotiate from strength — or take it to trial. A 'wet reckless' (reckless driving with alcohol) is a frequent reduction when the State's case has problems. When it doesn't, we try the case.
Recent DUI results
Anonymized samples. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
DUI Reduced to Reckless Driving
Gas-station stop, refused roadsides and breath. Attacked whether police had reasonable suspicion. Reduced to a withhold on reckless.
Felony Drug Evidence Suppressed, DUI Acquittal
Felony oxy + THC + DUI + refusal. Evidence suppressed at the circuit level. Acquittals on the DUI and the refusal.
Fort Lauderdale DUI — frequently asked questions
What are the penalties for a first DUI in Florida?+
A first DUI conviction in Florida carries up to 6 months in jail, $500–$1,000 in fines, 50 hours of community service, 6–12 months of probation, vehicle impoundment for 10 days, and a 180-day to 1-year license suspension. Penalties increase sharply with a BAC of 0.15 or higher, a minor in the vehicle, or an accident with injury.
What is the 10-day rule after a DUI arrest in Florida?+
You have only 10 days from the date of arrest to request a formal review hearing with the Florida DHSMV. If you miss the deadline, your license is automatically suspended and you lose the only opportunity to fight the administrative suspension separately from your criminal case. Call a DUI attorney immediately.
Should I refuse the breath test in Florida?+
Florida's implied consent law triggers an automatic 1-year license suspension for a first refusal and an 18-month suspension plus a misdemeanor charge for a second. A refusal can still be defended, but the decision is fact-specific. If possible, ask to speak with a lawyer before deciding.
Can a Fort Lauderdale DUI be reduced to reckless driving?+
Yes. A 'wet reckless' (reckless driving with alcohol) is a common reduction in Broward County when the State's evidence has weaknesses — a bad stop, an unreliable breath result, or a strong defense witness. Eric pushes for these reductions whenever the facts support it.
How long does a DUI stay on your record in Florida?+
A DUI conviction in Florida cannot be sealed or expunged. It stays on your criminal record permanently and on your driving record for 75 years. That is one reason fighting the charge — instead of pleading to it — matters so much.
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Don't Wait
An arrest is not a conviction.
The sooner you call, the more we can do. Free consultation, day or night.